Paper 1 Assignment Guidelines
For Paper 1, you will write a Literary Analysis. Literary Analysis Essays may take a few different avenues of exploration: character analysis, symbol/image analysis, setting/regional analysis, language analysis, metaphorical analysis, plot/structure analysis, and time period analysis. Though there are different lenses in which you can analyze a text, all Literary Analysis have one common goal: evaluating components the text uses in order to convey a central idea/theme.
For example, a character analysis evaluates the inner thoughts portrayed by the character, the external actions performed by the character, and the outer narration describing the character in order to determine the central idea/theme of the text in which we find the character.
For Paper 1, choose one text from Unit 1 and decide what type of Literary Analysis might evaluate the central idea/theme best. In 3 – 4 pages, use direct evidence from one text of your choice to explain how the author uses one specific literary element (characters, symbols, settings, language, structure, repetition, metaphors, etc.) to convince the audience of the text’s purpose. This is not a summary paper (please do not spend an entire page summarizing the plot). Before brainstorming, outlining, and drafting, read “How to Write a Literary Analysis” posted in our “Paper 1 Readings & Materials” module. Use the outline provided in this module to help draft Paper 1.
***An example of a literary analysis thesis might be: Walt Whitman uses repetition in “Song of Myself” to convince not only the reader, but himself, that independent thought remains supreme in understanding worldly truths, and that one should celebrate in the uniqueness of their soul. After using a thesis like this one, I would need to find places where Whitman uses repetition to enforce the main idea of “independent thought” is favorable and “unique identity” is favorable. The evidence of repetition enforcing this idea would then be used in my body paragraph as evidence to support my thesis.***
Requirements for Paper 1:
An introductory paragraph, body paragraphs, and conclusion paragraph
A clear thesis that evaluates the central idea/theme of the text via a specific literary element
Clear topic sentences and transitions for each body paragraph
4 – 6 direct quotes via the text to provide evidence for your claims (do not use an outside source for this assignment)
Well supported statements, explanations, and evidence that defends your thesis
MLA format (Times New Roman, 12 point font, double-spaced, heading, title, correctly formatted in-text citations)
3 – 4 pages
Free of any grammatical errors
